Wisconsin Rapids city council to take final vote on data center permit
The Wisconsin Rapids Common Council is scheduled to take a final vote on PNK Group’s conditional use permit for a proposed data center at a former papermill site. The project faces resident opposition, a planning committee recommendation for denial, and a newly enacted 12-month city moratorium on data center construction.
The Wisconsin Rapids Common Council will hold a final vote on a conditional use permit for PNK Group’s proposed data center at a former papermill site. The city’s planning committee previously recommended denying the permit, citing information it said was missing from the company’s application.
The proposal has drawn substantial opposition from Wisconsin Rapids residents, with dozens speaking at a recent public meeting. The city has also enacted a 12-month moratorium freezing new data center construction and imposing additional restrictions on future facilities. The controversy has contributed to a recall election against District 7 Alderperson Michael Timm, who petitioners accuse of misusing his office in a dispute involving anti-data center signs.